Champion Hurdle Tips
The Champion Hurdle is the fourth race run on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival. That falls on Tuesday March 9, 2021 and the official starting time is 3:30pm.
The Day 1 card also includes the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle Chase and David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle.
Cheltenham Day 1 Tips 2020 & Final Results (Tuesday)
| Time | Tuesday Races | Tips / Result | Place Bet / Watch Replay |
| 13:30 | Supreme Novices' Hurdle | Winner: Shiskin 6/1 |  |
| 14:10 | Arkle Challenge Trophy | Winner: Put The Kettle On 16/1 | |
| 14:50 | Ultima Handicap Chase | Winner: The Conditional 15/2 | |
| 15:30 | Champion Hurdle | Winner: Epatante 2/1 Fav | |
| 16:10 | Mares' Hurdle | Winner: Honeysuckle 9/4 | |
| 16:50 | Novices' Handicap Chase | Winner: Imperial Aura 4/1 | |
| 17:30 | National Hunt Chase | Winner: Ravenhill 12/1 | |
Champion Hurdle Best Bookmakers & Free Bets
The Champion Hurdle is the feature race on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival and it’s one of the two biggest races during the week.
The showpiece hurdle features the best two-mile jumpers in Europe and it is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham in front of a massive crowd.
It’s the most prestigious hurdle event on the National Hunt calendar and the past winners’ list features many thoroughbreds which have had races named in their honour.
The Champion Hurdle Free Bets 2020
| Bookmaker | Free Bet | Promo Code / Offer | Claim Free Bet |
 | Epatante 40/1 | to win Champion Hurdle | Get 40/1 Boost |
 | Epatante 28/1 | to win 15:30 Champion Hurdle | 28/1 Odds Boost |
| Bet £100 Get £100 | NEWBONUS | £100 bonus |
 | Bet £10 Get £50 | NEWBONUS | £50 bonus |
 | £10 Cash Back | Every Race | £10 bonUSES |
Champion Hurdle Betting Specials
See the latest promotions and Champion Hurdle Specials here.
Champion Hurdle Odds
We update the 2021 Champion Hurdle field and betting odds as and when they are released.
Champion Hurdle 2020 Runners & Best Odds
| Runner | Best Odds | Place Bet |
| Winner: Epatante | 5/2 |  |
| 2nd Place: Sharjah | 16/1 | |
| 3rd Place: Darver Star | 12/1 | |
| 4th Place: Cilaos Emery | 8/1 | |
| Pentland Hills | 10/1 | |
| Supasundae | 11/1 |  |
| Coeur Sublime | 16/1 | |
| Call Me Lord | 16/1 | |
| Ballyandy | 22/1 | |
| Silver Streak | 25/1 |  |
| Non Runner No Bet | Best Odds Guaranteed | |
| E/W Terms | 1/5 Odds - 4 Places | See all Runners |
Champion Hurdle Key Facts
| Date | Tuesday March 9, 2021 |
| Time | 3:30pm |
| Track | Cheltenham |
| Distance | 3200m |
| Status | Grade 1 |
| Prize Money | £400,000 |
| Age | 4YO+ |
Champion Hurdle Date & Time 2021
1:30 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
2:10 – Arkle Chase
2:50 – Ultima Handicap Chase
3:30 – Champion Hurdle
4:10 – Mares Hurdle
4:50 – National Hunt Chase Cup
5:30 – Close Brothers Novices Chase
Champion Hurdle Winners
Many of the recent Champion Hurdle winners have been expected to win, including the likes of Buveur d’Air, Annie Power, Faugheen and Hurricane Fly.
Prior to those wins, there were plenty of upset winners with four consecutive winners from 2007-2010 paying 10.00 or more.
| Year | Champion Hurdle Winners |
|---|---|
| 2020 | The Conditional 15/2 |
| 2019 | Espoir D'Allen |
| 2018 | Buveur d’Air |
| 2017 | Buveur d’Air |
| 2016 | Annie Power |
| 2015 | Faugheen |
| 2014 | Jezki |
| 2013 | Hurricane Fly |
| 2012 | Rock On Ruby |
| 2011 | Hurricane Fly |
| 2010 | Binocular |
| 2009 | Punjabi |
| 2008 | Katchit |
| 2007 | Sublimity |
| 2006 | Brave Inca |
| 2005 | Hardy Eustace |
| 2004 | Hardy Eustace |
| 2003 | Rooster Booster |
| 2002 | Hors La Loi III |
| 2001 | no race |
| 2000 | Istabraq |
| 1999 | Istabraq |
| 1998 | Istabraq |
Champion Hurdle History
One of the oldest Cheltenham Festival races, the Champion Hurdle is stepped in history since its first running in 1927 when Blaris took the honours for trainer Bill Payne and jockey George Duller.
Since that time there have been many champion winners and an incredible five horses to win three Champion Hurdle races. All five horses won the Champion Hurdle in consecutive years, making the feat even more incredible and the most recent champion was Istabraq in 2000.
Istabraq was the odds-on favourite to win his fourth unprecedented Champion Hurdle but the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2001 caused history to halter. Unfortunately, he raced in 2002 but was pulled up after the second hurdle when jockey Charlie Swan felt his action go.
Istabraq’s subsequent retirement left the door open for another champion and although there hasn’t been another like him since, Hardy Eustace, Hurricane Fly and Buveur d’Air have all won the Champion Hurdle twice.
Nicky Henderson has scored seven wins as a trainer and those wins came with four horses. He trained See You Then to score three consecutive Champion Hurdle’s from 1985-1987 and current champion Buveur d’Air.
Jockeys Tim Molony and Ruby Walsh share the top honours with four wins a piece. Ruby Walsh’s most recent win came with Annie Power, which was subsequently only the fourth mare to win the Champion Hurdle. That win also gave Willie Mullins his fourth win in a six-year span.
The biggest margin of victory in recent times belongs to Rooster Booster when scoring by 11 lengths in 2003. The nine-year-old spaced his rivals, which included Westender in second and race favourite Rhinestone Cowboy in third.
Champion Hurdle FAQs
Who won the 2020 Champion Hurdle?
Epatante was a comfortable winner of the Champion Hurdle, run on the 69th birthday of her owner, JP McManus, who has now had four consecutive winners of the feature race on the Cheltenham Festival’s opening day. Well supported from the night before and sent off 2-1 favourite, Epatante became an eighth winner of the Champion Hurdle for her trainer, Nicky Henderson.
When is the Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle 2021?
The 2021 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle will take place on Tuesday March 9th as part of Day One at the Cheltenham Festival. The feature race is the championship contest for 2m hurdlers and has been won by some of the greatest hurdlers of all time.
What are the latest Champion Hurdle 2021 odds?
2021 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle odds have Epatante and Benie Des Dieux as the market leaders ahead of the start of the Cheltenham Festival.
What time is the 2021 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle?
The Champion Hurdle is due off at 15:30 GMT on Tuesday March 9th 2021. It is the fourth race on the opening day of Day One at the Cheltenham Festival.
Who was the 2019 Champion Hurdle winner?
16/1 Espoir D'allen won the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle in 2019. 7/4f Apple's Jade could only finish 6th.